How to load a route onto SatnNav?

[PlymBob]

How to load a route onto SatNav in such a way that it retains the route. I only have Google Maps or Sygic. I have tried putting waypoints into Google Maps only to have Google later find a “better” route. Do I need a special SatNav or App to do this?

 

[Mark1965]

Google maps is not really a Sat Nav. You can ask it to find directions from point A to B. However you can add additional places on the way.
From what you are saying I would suggest you purchase a decent make Sat Nav. I have a Garmin as I use it in my Articulated Truck as well as Camper Van. You will have far more functionality than you will ever get with GM.
You can add way points, Routes are usually saved in History and it's much more intuitive than GM.
You will be able to put your Vehicle profile and save it so you can swap between Car/Motorhome etc.
I hope this answers some of the questions. Mark

 

[bigtwin]

I have a Garmin as I use it in my Articulated Truck as well as Camper Van. You will have far more functionality than you will ever get with GM.
You can add way points, Routes are usually saved in History

Ditto, on the Tom Tom Camper

You will be able to put your Vehicle profile and save it so you can swap between Car/Motorhome etc.

Ditto, on the Tom Tom Camper

Additionally, you can plan routes on your tablet and have them automatically synchronise with the Sat Nav.

Ian

 

[LesW]

How to load a route onto SatNav in such a way that it retains the route. I only have Google Maps or Sygic. I have tried putting waypoints into Google Maps only to have Google later find a “better” route. Do I need a special SatNav or App to do this?

I believe you can create a personalised route in Google by 'dragging' the route to your preference, but using a laptop, then send it to a device of your choice... Your phone.

I've done this when cycling.

 

[Ditcha]

I do my routes in Google earth then save them as a .kmz file in Google my maps. You can then use a free online file converter to convert from a .kmz file to the file extension your satnav can load.
My inbuilt mercedes satnav I convert the .kmz file to a.gpx file load on a usb then you can load the required route to the satnav.

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[Miggs]

I used to do this for my motorcycle trips. First time though, my best laid plans where undone by an "auto recalc best route" function which needed to be disabled. My carefully planned routes where instantly overwritten so look out for that if you get a sat nav.

 

[phil1946]

I find Bing maps very good for my purpose.

 

[PlymBob]

I used to do this for my motorcycle trips. First time though, my best laid plans where undone by an "auto recalc best route" function which needed to be disabled. My carefully planned routes where instantly overwritten so look out for that if you get a sat nav.

That's what happened to me with Google Maps.

 

[Tigger390]

I have a BMW Nav6 for the bike which is a BMW branded Garmin Sat Nav. If you buy a Garmin device you will the have access to Basecamp which is Garmins Route Planning programme. I have been planning routes and sending them to my device this way for years. Basecamp does have some quirks and you will need to practice and have to make sure the route planning setting in Basecamp and the device are the same as the device 'may' recalculate the route when you 'send it to device', but use plenty of waypopints and shaping points and it works well. There are plenty of Basecamp tutorial vids on Youtube.

A friend of mine uses MyRoute app to do this with his TomTom motorcycle sat nav.

I have tried sending a route I planned on Google maps on my computer to my phone and I cant get it to work, despite both devices being logged into my Google account.

Hope this helps

Nigel

 

[Howard B]

I have a BMW Nav6 for the bike which is a BMW branded Garmin Sat Nav. If you buy a Garmin device you will the have access to Basecamp which is Garmins Route Planning programme. I have been planning routes and sending them to my device this way for years. Basecamp does have some quirks and you will need to practice and have to make sure the route planning setting in Basecamp and the device are the same as the device 'may' recalculate the route when you 'send it to device', but use plenty of waypopints and shaping points and it works well. There are plenty of Basecamp tutorial vids on Youtube.

A friend of mine uses MyRoute app to do this with his TomTom motorcycle sat nav.

I have tried sending a route I planned on Google maps on my computer to my phone and I cant get it to work, despite both devices being logged into my Google account.

Hope this helps

Nigel

I still use Mapsource for my Garmin routing. Tried getting to grips with Basecamp a few times, but its nowhere near as easy to use as Mapsource. Some people swear by Basecamp, but for me its a no.

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[Tigger390]

I still use Mapsource for my Garmin routing. Tried getting to grips with Basecamp a few times, but its nowhere near as easy to use as Mapsource. Some people swear by Basecamp, but for me its a no.

I know what you mean, which is why I mentioned about the tutorials. I persevered with it and can now do what I need to with it.

You can also use the GPX file you create with Basecamp on another device other than Garmin as I send them to my friend for his TomTom.

The downside with Basecamp is you cant use it until you have a Garmin device as Basecamp comes with no maps loaded, you have to take them off your Garmin device.

 

[bigtwin]

You can also use the GPX file you create with Basecamp on another device other than Garmin as I send them to my friend for his TomTom.

Do you know how he loads the gpx file? I’ve never had any success on that front.

Ian

 

[Tigger390]

Do you know how he loads the gpx file? I’ve never had any success on that front.

Ian

I believe he imports it into MyRoute app first, then loads it onto his TomTom. If you try that and it doesn't work, message me and I'll find out how he does it.

 

[Gellyneck]

Do you know how he loads the gpx file? I’ve never had any success on that front.

Ian

Possibly converts the gpx file to TT equivalent first?

 

[Tigger390]

Possibly converts the gpx file to TT equivalent first?

I believe a GPX map file is the industry standard map file like a JPEG is to pictures.

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[Gellyneck]

I believe a GPX map file is the industry standard map file like a JPEG is to pictures.

I think TomTom uses ITN files for routes but GPX for tracks

 

[LesW]

you have to take them off your Garmin device.

I'm not sure this actually correct, when any of my devices require a map update the maps are downloaded onto my laptop first as well as the (3) devices I have, I rarely use Basecamp, much prefering Mapsource.

 

[Gellyneck]

I'm not sure this actually correct, when any of my devices require a map update the maps are downloaded onto my laptop first as well as the (3) devices I have, I rarely use Basecamp, much prefering Mapsource.

Using Garmin Express you can select to download maps to either device or computer (or both simultaneously).

 

[Brains]

There are various ways of creating a 'one off' route, however you are far better to get a dedicated SatNav suitable for a motorhome, one that permits you to enter weight, hight, length and width.

There are several on the market, but as a 'benchmark' the best for the money at the moment is probably the
Avtex Tourer three
It is also sold as the Garmin RV Three and the Camper Three. They are all the same.
(There is a version with a 'plus' in the name, which has a dashcam built in)

Depending on the supplier you get a database of campsites, the Avtex one comes with C&MHC Campsites in the UK built in.

 

[Tigger390]

I'm not sure this actually correct, when any of my devices require a map update the maps are downloaded onto my laptop first as well as the (3) devices I have, I rarely use Basecamp, much prefering Mapsource.

When I got my Nav6 I couldn't use Basecamp until I connected my sat nav to my computer and loaded the maps from it.

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[Gellyneck]

When I got my Nav6 I couldn't use Basecamp until I connected my sat nav to my computer and loaded the maps from it.

As above, if you use Garmin Express to update your sat nav you have to connect it to a computer for the initial map installation to BaseCamp on the computer.

After that, and by continuing to use Express for map updates, you do not have to connect the sat nav to the computer as shown below. You'll see the sat nav is not connected but it does give the option to "Install map to Computer".

 

[Tigger390]

As above, if you use Garmin Express to update your sat nav you have to connect it to a computer for the initial map installation to BaseCamp on the computer.

After that, and by continuing to use Express for map updates, you do not have to connect the sat nav to the computer as shown below. You'll see the sat nav is not connected but it does give the option to "Install map to Computer".
View attachment 1046727

Thank you. They were the issues I had when I first got it, I had a friend help me and I do have Garmin Express as well as Basecamp. I have been using it for about 6 years now and understand people find it difficult to use. Tutorials on Youtube and perseverance worked for me.

 

[Gellyneck]

Thank you. They were the issues I had when I first got it, I had a friend help me and I do have Garmin Express as well as Basecamp. I have been using it for about 6 years now and understand people find it difficult to use. Tutorials on Youtube and perseverance worked for me.

Agreed, BaseCamp can look daunting until you get used to it. We use it for 3 - 4 different sat navs.